Electric controller.



`A. E. BBRDON.

ELECTRIC CONTROLLER.

APPLICATION FILED JAN.6, 1911.

Patented June 24, 1913,

w Y 'W Kg i TED RATEN union.,

ALBERT E. BEBDON, OF LA EAETTE, INDIANA, ASSIGNOR TO ESTEELINE COMPANY,

` 'OF LA FAYETTE, ENDAN, A' CORPORATION OF INDIANA.

ELECTRIC CONTEOLLER.

specification of Letters ateiit..

Patented June 24, 1913,

Application filed January 1911. Serial No. 691,226.

To all 'whom it may concern:

Be it known that ALBERT E. Bniioon, citizen of the United States, rcsiding at La Fayette, in the county of Tippecanoe and Etate of Indiana, have inveiited a certain new and useful Iinproveinent in Electric4 Controllers, o-f which the following is a full, clear, concise, and exact description, reference being had to the accoinpanying drawiiigs, forining a part of this specification.

My invention relates to electric current controlling devices and is of particular service iii connection with tlie eharging of storage batteries from a source of current of varying elect'romotive force such as is comnion in car lighting systems, or in' systems supplied by auton'iobile driven generators, alth'ough l do not- Wish to be limited to these uses. I

My invention in its various aspects Will he explained in connection with the following description of the preferrcd embodiinent thereof shown in the accompanying draiving in whichlfigure 1 is a front elcvalion of the device of niy invention, together with certain external apparatus and cii'cuit connections in .association With which my device may bc Fig. 4; is a fragnientai'y section on line 4r-4 of Fig. 1, Fig. 5 is a fragmentary section on line of Fig. 4, Fi'g. 6 is a detail sectional view of the high pressure coil, and Fig. 7 is a view of a modification.

.Like parts are indicated by similar characters of reference throughout the different figui'es. 4 i

The device of my invention is shown in Fig. 1 in association with a charging generator and a storage battery to be charged thereby, although do not vWish tolbe limited to this use. The pcrnianeiit horse shoe n'iagnct a, has an insetting pole piece b, 'prefcrahly sepai'ahle from the main portion of the magnet. The high Wound pressure coil or' so-lenoid is rigidly attached to, and one of its tei'ininals is electrically connected With, the free end of the con'ducting spring support 7a, the fixed end of which support is firinly held'in place by the insulating support h; The second terminal of the pressure coil is electrically connected to the contact, Z normally in contact With the free' end offthe conducting spring m, the fixed end of which W 'he low Wound series or current coil or soleiioid 'n is rigidly attachedlto, and one of its teriiiiiials is electrically' connected with, the free end of the conduct-irig spring support o, the fixed end of which support is firinly held in place by the insulating support 'oi' mounting. The spring supports for the current and pressure coils constitute supporting structur'es or mechanism allowing the coils to be moved whenthe coils are cnergized'and which restore the coils to normal positioiis When denergized. The second terminal of this current coil or solenoid n is electrically connected to the contact 8 which' is insulated from the support 0 except for thepatli through the current coil a,

the brush 8 being carried by the 'support 0 I as indicated iii Fig. 7. Referriiig still to Fig. 3, the current coil n sui'rounds and is niechanically free of thepole piece b of the permanent magnet, so that a magnetic field produced by a current in this current coil will coperate with the magnetic field of the permanent magnet to cause said current coil to move longitudinally of saidipole piece, said movement carrying the free end of the support o With the current coil, the fixed end of this support being firmly held in place by the insulating inounting'. A path for current through the pressure coil i may he traced from the positive terminal of the generator q through the spring support 76,

Athe'pressure coil the contact Z, the conducting spring in, to the negative terminal Aof the generator q. The normal. polarity of the generator and the directiop 'ofithc'lwinding of the pressure coil are sucii that-the reulting magnetic fieldof said pressure coil and the magnetic field ofvithef; permanent niagnet cooperate to move such pressure coil toward the current coil n, such 'move-- ment finally causing the brush, sto be engaged'by the contact p/to establishicircuitthrough the current coil n, which circuit' may be traced from the positive terminal of the generator q through the support lv, the

` contact, p, the brush 8, the current coil 71', the

suming the generator` g to be started from rest and gradually brought to its normal speed, its electromotive force at the same time grtujlually increasing to its normal value, the pressure coil will move gradually to the leftl (referring to Fig. 1) until the brush 8 makes contact with the contact 2] to establish a charging circuit for the battery 'w as above describcd, the operation of the elements m and 7; being such that said oharging circuit cannot be established until the electromotive force of the generator is of a suitable minimum value. Thus, the device acts as an automatic Circuit closing device under the control of the impressed eleetromotive force. The normal polarity of the generator and the dire'cton of the Winding in the current coil 'a are such to establish a magnetic field which Will coperate with the magnetic field of the permanent magnet to tend to move said current coil toward the pressure coil or to the right as shown in Fig. 1, and the Windings of the pressure and current coils are so related that a charging current greater than some predetermined value will cause the tendency of the current coil to move to the right to overcome the tendency of the pressure coil to move to the left, thus permitting a sutlicient excess of current to cause both coils| to move to the right (Pig. l) until circuit through the pressure coil is broken at the contact Z. 'Who opening of the pressure coil circuit at the contact Z removes the tendency of the pressure coil to retard movcmenttoward the Vright of both the pressure and current coils, as a result of which the current coil acts to cause both coils to move a further small distance to the right, opening the circuit for the charging current atl the contact t and the brush 'u and causing all of said (',harging current to pass through the parallel path including the adjusting resistance Circuit through the resistance m, when contact at is broken, may be traced from the positive pole of the generator (j through the spring support. 78, contact carried thereby, brush a, spring support 0 carrying said ,brush and in electrical connection therewith by Way of the coil n, the lnagnet 11/, the resistance w, the battery w to the nogatire pole of said gci'ierator.l 'The adjusting resistance .r serves to prevcnt a dangerously large current from passing through the batteriv w. s' soon as the cause of the excessivc current is removed, for instance by a reduction in generator electromotive force 'r by an increase in the resistance of the external load circuit, the supports 0 andJs, by reason of their resiliency, move the current coil back to the left again to close path for the charging current through the contact t and the brush u, and to close path through the pressure coil through the contact Z, the apparalus again assuming its normal charging '.ondit-i;'n. Thus, the device acts to pre- ,vcut excessivc overload on either the generator or its external load Circuit and further acts to ,restore normal vCircuit relations as soon as the cause of the excessive overload has been remoyed. lt is clear thata reduction in generator ele :tromotive force belouy a predetermined value Will reduce the tendoncy of the pressure coil to move to the left, a movement of said pressure coil to the right resulting as a consequence of the resiliency of the support /u and spring m, iid I movement opening Circuit for the charging current at the brush 8 and contact p. If, by accident or otherwise, the polarity of the electromotive force of the generator bccomcs rcverscd, then the direction of current in thc pressure coil will. bo reverscd and [hereby cause such coil to move to the right, 'thusl preventiug the possibility of Cir- ('uit being closed through the current oil 71 and through the storage battery w. Thus, the device acls as a circuit breaker When the source of current. fails, when its electromoti'vc force falls` below a predetermined value, or when its polarity becomes rerersed from anv cause, and it further acts to restore normal circuit relations as soon as the cause of its action as a (fireuit brealrer has been reuioved. Load is shown connected to the 'storage battery w.

The apparatus thus far described is shown being peculiarly adaptcd to circuits in `which' unidi rectional currcnts flow, and when the apparatus is adapted to systems cmploylng unidirectional currents, cmploy a inagnet of rmchanging polarity and Drcfcr to employ a permanent magnet in the environment which has been illustrated andi I described.

To prevent the apparatus which has bc-cu described above .from beingv too s'cnsitive, I cause Circuit to open at Z before the normal i series' c'ircuit is opened at t and v cause cir- ('uit closure at Z before the normal series circuit closure occurs at t. ln order that. these results may be `accomplishedA I provide means for aut-onuuically adjusting one or the other of the springs m or -c When thev circuit at is opened to enable occui'rcucc. of circuit closure at 7 before circuit closure maaac? occurs at t. VVhen circuit closure has occurred lat t the automatically adjusting means permits the spring it had previously adjusted to as'sume its natural position in order -that circuitlmay be opened at Zobefore circuit is opened at t.

n the embodiment of the invention shown in Figs; 1 and 2, I have provided a mhgnet 7/ of negligible resistance but which is in series with 'the resistance a' and is shown as being permanently Aconnected with the resistance and a pole of the battery; The armature 3/1 of the magnet is shown upon the spring m` and the magnet therefore adjusts the position of the spring m when circuit is opened at t for the pnrpose stated. `When Circuit is clod at t the magnet 2/ is deenergized, whereupon the spring m is perniitted to assume its natural position for the purpose stated. The magnet thus constitutes one form of automatically adjusting means last above generally referred to. Another form of automatically adjusting means i's shown in Fig. 7 and resides in a mechanical device thatincludes a cam having a dwell 1/2 concentric with the axis of movefinger ;2/5 and the rigid arm carrying contact Z to secure the proper operation of the cam, whereby it accomplishes the same adjustment asV is accomplished by the magnet y.

` As my invention finds an important use in automobile practice, I provide means for rendering the contacts 7a and sluggish in their operation so that they will not be jarred by vibration. To this end I connect the Springs with the plungers 781 01 of dash pots and fiexibly connectthe barrels of the dash pots with a rigid part of the structure. 1 bifurcate the free ends of the Springs ,7a o and provide the bifurcated ends with insettilng teeth ki 02. By moving or bending the hifurcated spring ends out of the same planes the insetting teeth may readily be engaged with diametrically opposite recesses in the dash pot plungers. The plungers'are desirably in the form of tubes having their inner ends closed to constitute the plunge'r pistons. The cylinders in which these pistons 'reciprocate are swingingly mounted as indicated in Figs. 4 and 5 so that the tubular plungers will not bind in the cylinders. The contact Z is mounted upon the coil Y' in rigid relation thereto as indicated in Fig. G, this contact having a base portion angular with respect thereto over which the winding of the coil passes to hold the contact in place. The pole piece' ofthe permanent magnet which is surrounded by the movable coils is sandwiched between two otherpole pieces extending from the opposite side of the permanent magnet for the purpose of att'ording a proper completion for the magnetic circuit, such construction ap'pearing in Fig. 3. I do not wish to be limited to this construction however.

The embodimcnt of my'invention herein specifically shown constitutes an improvement upon the structure set fort-h and claimedin my co-pending application Serial No. 570,239, filed July 5, 1910, and relating 'to electric current controlling devicefil' lVhile vhave herein shown and particularly described the preferred embodiment of my invention, I do not. wishto be limited to the precise details of construction shown, as changes may be readily made Without departingfrom the spirit of the invention, but,

'Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent the following:-

1. An electric current controlling device, and an electric circuit controlled thereby, said device including'a magnet of unchanging polarity, a n'lovable pressure coil, aV

movable current coil, both of said coils bemg in cop'erative relation with sald magnet wherehy the magnetic fields produced byv said magnet and the current in said'coils 'effect movement of said coils, means for restoring the coils to normal positions When denergized, switching mechanism for opening and closing circuit connections through the pressure and current coils, and means coperating with said switching mechanism to cause circuit'to be opened and closed through the pressure coil before Circuit is opeued and closed throughI the current coil.

2. An electric current controlling device, and an electric circuit controlled thereby, said device including a. magnet of unchanging polarity', a movahle pressure coil, a movable current coil, both of said coils being in coperative relation With saidmagnct whereby the magnetic fields produced by said magnet and the current in said coils effect movement of said coils, means for .restoring the coils to normal 'positions w-hen dencrgized, switching mechanism for open-' with said magnet wherebyv the magnetic fields produced by said magnet and the cur-` rent in said coils effect movement .of said coils, means for restoring the coils to'normal positions When denergized, sivitching mechanisni for opening and olosing circuit -zctions through the pressure and current coils, and means copera -ing 'With said switching incchanism to Cause Circuit to be opencd and closed through the pressure coil before circuit is opcned und closed through the Current coil.

li. fin electric current controlling device, nd an electric circuit controlled thereby, aid device including;` a ni et, a inovable oressure coil, a inovable ca``` coil, both of .aid coils being in copcr e relation With said magnet Whercby ,the magnetic fields i, co uced by said inagnct and the current in sai coils effect nio-vcmcnt of said 'coils, means for rcstorinil the cous to normal positions When dcn'rgiucrh switching 1neclian' 'in for opening and closing' circuit connecti ns through the pressure and current coils, and 'electro-niagnetic means coperating 'With said switching niechanism to cause Circuit to be opened and closed through the pressure coil before Circuit is opencd and closed through the current Coil.

5. An electric current controlling device, and an electric Circuit Controlled thereby, said device including a niagnct, a pressure coil, a current coil, said coils being movable with relation to the mugnet, switching niechanism for opening; and closing Circuit Corn'icctions through. the pressure and cur' rent coils, and means coperatiug with said switching niechanism to cause Circuit to be opened und closed through the pressure coil before Circuit is opencd and closed through the current coil. I

6. Ali-electric current controlling device, and an 'electric Circuit Controlled thcreby, said device including a mugnet, a pressure coil, a current coil, said coils being movable With relation to the magnct,` switching w mechansm for opening` and closing Circuit' oonnections 'through theqn'essure and current coils, and electroonagnetic means .co- Operating With said switching nieclxanism tocause circuit to' be opeucd andv closed through the pressure coil before circuit is opened and closed through the current coil. i". An electric current controlling device, and an electric Circuit Controlled thcreby, said device including a inaguct of unchang ing' polarity, a movablc pressure coil, a inov able current coil, both of said coils being in coperative relation with 'said niagnet wheroby the magnetic liclds produccd by said magnet and the current in said coils elect movcnicnt of said coils, means for re- Storing the Coils to normal positions when denergized; switching' nicchunism for opening and closing circuit conncctions through the pressure and current coils, and means coerating With said sivitcliing incchanisni to'cause-circuit 'to be opcned and closed coperatix'e relat. nurgnet whereby the n vetic field? "oroduced Z said inagnet ano currf'"` r i said coiis effect movement of saio. coil.J Leaf s for re the coils to normal po Ltions "when gized, s'ivitcliing n'iechanisn'i for opening and closing Circuit connections through the pressure and Current coils, and electro-magnetic means' Copcrating With said switching mechanisin to cause Circuit to be opened and closed through the pressure ooil before circuit is opened and closed through the current coil, the pressure coil coperating With the inagnet to close said electric cirouit at a predetermincd,minimum value of electromotive force imriressed on said pressure Coil, said current Coil and magnet coperating to open said electric circuit at a predetermined maximunrvalue of current fiowing in said current coil.

9. An electric current controlling' device, and an electric circuit Controlled thereby, said device including a iniagnet, a inovable pressure coil, a inovable current coil, both' of said coils being in .coperativc relation with said inugnct Whercby the magnetic ficlds produced by said ma'et and the current in said coils effect movcnient of said coils, means for rcstoring the ooils to normal positions when dcnergized, switcl'iing nieohanisin for opening and closing Circuit connections through the pressure and current coils, and means coperating 'with said switching mcchanisin to cause Circuit to be opcned and closed through the .pressure coil before circuit is opencd and closed through the current coil, the pressure coil coperating withthe'magnet to close said electric Circuit at a predetermined minimum value of electroinotive force 'impressed on said pressure coila said current coil and magnet copcrating to open said electric' circuit at a predetermined i'naximum value of current fiowinq' in said current coil.

10. rrn electric current controlling` clexiiczi7 and an electric Circuit Controlled thcrcby, said device including a magnet, a inoi'ablc pressure coilj a movable current coil, both of said coils being in coperatix'f'c relationv With said inagnet Whcreby the magnetic fields produoed by said inagnet and the our-- noszce? rent in said coils effect movement of said coils, means for restorlng the coils to normal positions when de'c'nergized', swtching mech-` lminimum Value of electromotive force impressed on said pressure coil, said current coil' and magnet coperating to open said electric circuit at a predetermined maximum Value of current flowing in said current coil.

11. Anpelectric current controlling device, and an electric circuit Controlled thereby, said device including a Inagnet, a pressure coil, a current coil, said coils being movable With relation to the magnet, switching mechanism for opening and closing circuit connections through the pressure and current coils, and means coperating With said switching mechanism to cause circuit to be opened and closed through'the pressure coil before circuit is openend and closed through the current coil, the pressure coil coperat-V ing with the magnet to -close said electric circuit ata predetermined minimum Value of electromotive force inipressed on said pressure coil, said current coil and magnet coperating to open said electric circuit at a predetermined maximum value of current fiowing in said current coil.

12. An electric current controlling device, and an electric circuit controlled thereby, said device including a magnet, a pressure coil, a current coil, said coils being movable With relation to the magnet, switching mechanism for opening and closing circuit connections/through the pressure and current coils, vand electro-magnetic means coperating with said switching mechanism to cause circuitto be opened and closed through the pressure coil`before circuit is opened and closed through the current coil, the pressure coil coperating With the magne't to close said electric circuit at a predetermined minimum Value of electro-inotive force' impressed on said pressure coil, said current coil and magnet coperating to open said electric circuit at a predetermined maximum value of current flowing in said current coil.

V In Witness whereof, I hereunto Subscribe my name this n'd'day of Dec. A. D., 1910.

ALBERT E. BERDON. Vitnesses: w 4 J. VV. Es'rEnLiNE, A. J. vWEBER. 

